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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DispelAkimbo" data-source="post: 951709" data-attributes="member: 1916">Another day dawns with the sun rising over the city of Sarivale. Its' citizens go about their business inside the shadow of its' walls. Traders trade, craftsmen craft, writers write, and the king, Aramand Sarivale, lies in his bed poisoned by an assassin, as all good kings do at one point or another in their lives.On an eventful day such as this, a number of people head into the city. Two of these people happen to be brothers and have travelled the dusty roads to the city for many weeks. Zander Helmsblade, the younger of the brothers can barely contain his sense of awe as they round a hill and get their first clear glimpse of the city."Crikey Rowan, would you look at the size of those city walls? They must be at least four hundred feet high! No wonder they say that Sarivale has never fallen to an invading army!" His brother Rowan Helmsblade is five years older and manages to contain his feeling of awe a little better. Instead he keeps to the subject of their reason for travelling."It may be hard to fit in in a place such as this brother. We must be wary and keep up our guard if we are to ever have a chance of reclaiming our heritage from the vipers who framed our father." Zander doesn't appear to be listening, and is still staring awestruck at the sheer size of the city walls. "Close your mouth Zander, you're starting to dribble!" With Zander having the look, build and beard of a fully grown man, Rowan often forgets that his brother is only twelve and still views the world with the naivety of a child at times. Rowan always attributed his brothers' bodily maturity to the mysterious arcane power that he wields. What else could explain his explosive growth?By the time they approach the gates into the city, Rowan has managed to stop his brother from staring at the walls with his mouth open. They brush some of the travelling dust from their heavily worn clothing and join the slow moving line of people heading into the city."You two! Halt!" a guard cries as they approach. He wanders over looking them up and down as if to assess their intent. He stops in front of them, leans on his Halberd and spends a moment cleaning his ear with a finger before he addresses them. "Names and nature of business in the city? You've both obviously not been here before...been travelling for at least two weeks by the look of the dirt covering you. Hope you've got coin to spend or skill to earn a living 'cause we don't take kindly to beggars in the city. Well, speak up, out with it!" Zander looks to his brother Rowan to do the speaking."We've travelled from the plains to the south-east. We're here to purchase some supplies and perhaps earn a day or two of work if the situation arises. My brother here", he gestures to Zander "is a skilled scribe and I possess a number of skills that make me worthy of employment. Now if you don't mind me asking, how did you know that we haven't been to the city before?" The guard pauses a few seconds leaving an uncomfortable silence before gesturing to the swords each brother had sheathed around their waists."No peace knot. Everyone knows, all weapons must bear a peace knot within the city walls. Use some string, cloth or whatever you can for now, but once you get chance within, buy something more suitable looking; a silk scarf or something. I'm sure you can afford that if you're as skilled as you say you are." He adds grinning smugly at another nearby guard."You got any other weird laws we should know about?" Zander asks in his typically candid manner."Yeah," replied the guard taking a step toward him "respect for those of a higher station than you! Oh and I mean that seriously. You see anyone wearing a badge of office, or a uniform then you defer to them and pay them their due respect. So a common person like you would pay respect to me and call me Sir, got that?" The guard obviously enjoys making the point, and Rowan leaps to reply in case his brother says something inappropriate."Yes Sir!""Good," replies the guard shifting his gaze from one brother to the other. "Finally, duelling is permitted in the city but frowned upon. An official witness must be present, should you be foolish enough to pursue such activities. Now, knot those weapons and get yourselves inside." The guard returns to his station at the side of the city gate and proceeds to look down his nose at other people entering the city. The Helmsblade brothers bite their tongues, knot their weapons and head into the city.They spend most of the morning wandering around the outer ring of the city where most of the residential housing is before they head in through an inner city wall to the trades district where they secure a room each at an inn. Finally they head to Council Halls in the Nobles district where they petition to see someone concerning their business, which they describe as a miscarriage of justice. They are told they will be able to see someone in three days time. They leave the Council Halls and return to their inn rooms.***Also that morning a knight approaches the same city. His armour gleams in the morning sun and gives him a most powerful presence. He ties a peace knot around all of his weapons, which takes some time with their being so many of them. He then head's into the city, receiving bow's of the head from guards and officials that he passes and ooooh's and aaaah's from the populace in general. It is not often in Sarivale that one sees such fine an array of armour walking the streets, especially when it also bears the Holy symbol of Girion, the God of men, light goodness and nobility. He heads determinedly to his destination and wonders if he will arrive before his companion.The Plainsman known as Margarian Daramai also approaches the city that morning. He lives a wild life on the plains, sleeps rough under the cold night sky, hunts wild animals with his bear hands, and has fear of very few things so far in life. However he feels the need to take a number of deep breaths as he approaches Sarivale. He doesn't fear the city, or the people in the city. He just doesn't like the feel of them....all those people in such a crowded area, so little room to move, so many rules to follow, so much to be carefully of....life is so much easier on the plain.He heads through the city gates, ignoring the discourtesy’s he receives from the guards on the gate. He expects no less from narrow-minded city folk. He pulls a note out of his backpack and scrutinises the map that accompanies it. He soon manages to find the suggested meeting place, a restaurant called "Tara's Fine Eatery", and his finds that his companion, the knight known as Jaider Lightbringer is seated at a table outside."Ah, there you are! Long time no see old friend!", exclaims Jaider to the plainsman. Armour clunks, weapons clang, backs are slapped and greetings exchanged, causing a number of heads to turn from passers-by and other tables in the restaurant, all observing the spectacle. The two are strange enough a sight alone, but together they make for quite a show. Margarian orders some ale and takes a seat."So, what's this all about? I have this note that I'm told says you need my help urgently and I have a map that brought me here, but I have no idea why?" Jaider quickly glances around to see check for potential eavesdroppers before he replies."To be honest, I'm not entirely sure why we're here either. A high-ranking member of my order has foreseen dire trouble brewing for the Sarivalean kingdom, a dark shadow looming on the horizon. I was sent to try and investigate and offer my support. You are here because you're someone I can trust, and you can take care of yourself if the trouble is as dire as my superiors fear. Now, I suggest we head over to the royal palace and see what those in charge have heard.""Keg of beer to go!", exclaims Margarian when he realises this might be his only chance to grab a drink for a number of hours. The journey to the city had after all been thirsty work. A small keg is delivered to the table; they settle the bill and set off toward the royal palace.***Elsewhere in the city rumours are starting to spread. In taverns and backrooms across the city words are being whispered. These words mention that the king has been poisoned. These words happen to reach the ear of a young man called Eben Hakkan.Accustomed to listening to the rumour mill, Eben knows to not believe everything that he hears. After checking with a number of reliable sources though it appears that there is some truth behind it. Fearing for the stability of the kingdom and wondering who would commit such a crime and why, Eben makes contact with his elusive superior in "The Watchers in Grey"."I want this Job!", Eben states clearly to his superior. "I have been a guest in this city for three years now, and while I have helped in many ways, in my eyes I have yet to earn the right to call myself a citizen. Let me look into this plot, uncover the conspirators and repay my debt to the city." The cloaked figure sat opposite Eben spends a few moments considering before his hood bobs in a nodding gesture of consent."I'll make some arrangements", the hooded figure replies. "Return to see me in two hours time". Eben nods, rises and leaves. Not one to waste any time, he heads to see what can be found out in the mean time.Eben heads to some of the Seedier taverns in Sarivale to see what information can be heard. His tanned Khadish skin means he stands out a little more than some may, but having spent time in the past building up a rapport with the inn's owner, he persuades him to share what he has heard."The local gangs seem to know nowt about it", the barkeep states in his usual stand offish voice. "As far as I've seen and heard, everyone is surprised by it. I've seen more than a few amazed faces over the past hour as the news has penetrated to one group or another.""If no-one local, then who?" Eben implored, "Is there any rumour of outside factions being active of late? Another kingdom? War brewing? Tensions rising?""Well, I did hear that some Morgoth followers had been seen on the roads of late. Not heard of any activity within the city though." Eben leaves the barkeep a silver coin and asks him to keep his ears open.***Jaider and Margarian exchanged puzzled glances as they approached the royal Palace. There looked to be a real panic on the faces of the guard patrols they had passed on their way through the city. Now that they were at the palace gates they could see that an emergency of some description was in full swing."You! Sergeant! Report! What's the emergency?", Jaider exclaims, using his station and commanding demeanour to obtain the information from a gate guard. The guard gawks for a moment at the unusual pair now standing in front of him before he answers."A paladin? Ooooh....erm....I mean, Sir! Trouble within the palace Sir! I'm informed that the King has been poisoned Sir! We've been ordered to secure all non-essential personnel in their quarters and detain anyone suspicious Sir! Please feel free to enter, we'd be grateful for any assistance you can offer Sir!....although the vagrant with you will have to leave his beer barrel before we can let him in....Sir!"Margarian ignores the insult and takes a deep quaff of his beer barrel before settling down by the gate. Jaider acquires directions to the kings' quarters and heads into the palace.***Within the Royal Palace the Princess Melissan Sarivale has just been informed of the attempt on her fathers life. A feeling of dread slowly descends upon Jalderin Cormaeril, the princesses assigned protector. He dreads not for the princesses life, but for his sanity. His relationship with the Princess is strained at the best of times with her moods and temper tantrums, now he fears they will become un-bearable. After more than a few moments arguing the foolishness of her actions he bites his tongue and agrees to escort her to her fathers quarters. On their way there they meet up with Jaider Lightbringer, also heading to the Kings Quarters."A paladin? Ooooh....erm....I mean, Greetings Servant of Girion! Have you found the evil that has attempted to dim the light of my fathers soul?" the princess asks."Your highness." Jaider intones with a respectful bow. The princess smiles and looks directly at Jalderin to make the point that he should also treat her with such respect. Jalderin rolls his eyes and maintains his watch around them. "No your highness, I have not found the evil. I have arrived just this moment and am heading to the scene of the crime now." The three exchange a few more words and introductions before proceeding to the kings quarters.With the king safely in the palaces' infirmary, Jaider and Jalderin ascend 1,200 feet worth of stairs and conduct a search of the kings quarters and find a scrap of torn cloth, caught on the windowsill. Peering out of the window to the city a dizzying distance below gives the impression that any assassin using the window must have quite a head for heights and also a climbing ability of un-rivalled aptitude.Jaider leaves with the cloth fragment and heads to the various tailors in the city to see if any can shed any light on its origin or style.</blockquote>

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